ROSWELL, Georgia — The Roswell Police Department is mourning the death of an officer killed in the line of duty. Police Chief James Conroy said that “One of our officers was shot and killed while serving the citizens of Roswell.”
Police said it happened Friday night around 7 pm after officers were called to a shopping area on a suspicious subject.
“The first responding officer encountered the suspect behind the shopping center near here,” Conroy added.
He said the suspect “almost immediately” pulled out a gun shooting the officer. First responders provided aid to the officer, who was taken to the hospital where he died, Conroy said. The officer’s name was not released.
Conroy said other officers who responded to the area located the suspect and took him into custody. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is now investigating the shooting.
Conroy told 11Alive this is the first officer to be killed by gunfire for the agency. The last line of duty death happened in 1986 when an officer was killed in a crash.
Gov. Brian Kemp issued a statement on social media after learning about the tragedy, saying he’s praying for the loved ones of the officer who died.
“We join them, his fellow Roswell PD, and all law enforcement in mourning this sudden and heartbreaking loss, and we ask all Georgians to join us in keeping them in your thoughts and prayers,” Kemp said.
